Substance abuse

No one is to show up for work under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at Lund University. How you relate to these substances in your leisure time is your private affair, as long as it does not affect efficiency, safety and enjoyment at work.

If you are concerned about your own alcohol habits, you can do the Occupational Health Service’s anonymous online test. You can test whether you are drinking excessively and get tips and advice on how to change your alcohol habits. 

Test your alcohol habits on the Occupational Health Service’s anonymous self-evaluation on alexit.se (in Swedish)

The earlier a person with substance abuse problems is noticed and given treatment and rehabilitation, the greater the chances of solving the problem.

If you suspect substance abuse

If you suspect that a colleague has a problem, you are to contact your line manager. Saying nothing won’t help the person with the problem, rather the opposite. To get involved and to question is to care! 

Every manager who has reason to suspect that an employee has a problem which is affecting his or her work is to raise the issue with the employee in a private conversation. 

Early warning signs of problems with alcohol or drugs can be: 

• declining performance at work
• unbalanced behaviour
• difficulty respecting working hours
• decreased interest in appearance and personal hygiene
• smelling of alcohol
• recurrent brief absences from work, especially in connection with weekends and holidays
• annual leave days, leave of absence and “work from home” days taken without warning

If you have a problem yourself

If you feel you have a problem with your consumption of alcohol or drugs, you can get support and help from your employer. You can always turn to your manager. Your manager has a responsibility to help you.

If you do not feel comfortable talking with your manager, you can also turn to your nearest human resources officer.

Further support is available through contact with the following organisations:

• Occupational Health Service
• Employee organisations
• 1177 Healthcare advice (1177.se)
• AA Alcoholics Anonymous (aa.se)

When you contact your manager, treatment can be set up in consultation with the Occupational Health Service, if necessary. The same applies if the initiative for the conversation comes from your manager.

It is always your manager’s responsibility to ensure that an investigation takes place and that rehabilitation measures are taken and followed up. Clear requirements are also placed on your own active role in your own rehabilitation.